Beyond the classroom: Field School stories
CapU field schools have taken students to exciting destinations such as Vietnam, Cambodia, Ghana and Thailand, offering transformative learning experiences abroad.
Discover how a field school can strengthen your intercultural competence, enhance your career-ready skills and add depth and meaning to both your education and personal growth through immersive, real-world experiences.
Vietnam Field School 2024
On August 16-31, 2024, 22 CapU students embarked on a 16-day off-the-beaten path global journey, led by two CapU instructors, Chris Carnovale (TOUR 331 Regional Topics in Tourism) and Debra Rurak (FILM 349 Cinema Arts Field School). With a goal to facilitate transformative learning, this cross-disciplinary field school immersed students deep into the rich and vibrant culture of Vietnam. This uniquely designed experience took students behind-the-scenes of Vietnam's tourism industry across its dynamic urban centres and hill-tribe villages across five destinations in Northern Vietnam: Hanoi, Ha Long Bay, Pu Luong Nature Reserve, Ninh Binh and Sapa. The Vietnam Field School initiative was selected as a Finalist in the Progressive Education Delivery category at the PIEoneer Awards 2025!
Ghana Field School 2024
From December 17, 2024 until January 7, 2025, 24 CapU students embarked on a 22-day off-the-beaten path global journey, led by two CapU Jazz Studies instructors, Kofi Gbolonyo and Jared Burrows who co-taught JAZZ 422 Cross-Cultural Pedagogy and Orff Afrique. The participants went deep into the rich and vibrant culture of Ghana and into places of cultural, historic and ecological importance, with an emphasis on the indigenous music and dance traditions of the Ewe people of West Africa. From their base in the welcoming Dzodze, Kofi's hometown in the southeastern corner of the Volta Region of Ghana, the students explored Accra, Ho, Cape Coast and Elmina Castles, Tafi Monkey Sanctuary, Kakum National Park, Kente weaving villages, Wli Water Falls and more.
Thailand Field School 2025
On February 13-24, 2025, 22 CapU students from 10 different programs, embarked on a 13-day off-the-beaten path global journey, led by two CapU instructors, Chris Carnovale (TOUR 370 – Regional Topics in Tourism) and Tammy Towill (BADM 320 – Special Topics in Business Administration). Aiming to facilitate transformative learning, this field school immersed students deep into the rich and vibrant culture of Thailand across three diverse destinations in Central and Southern Thailand from the urban centre of bustling Bangkok to the Historic City (designated by UNESCO) of Ayutthaya, to the National Park Island beaches of Koh Surin. Focusing on the informal economy, students had the opportunity to learn from the entrepreneurs, organizations, and workers engaged in the transportation, (street) food and beverage and tourism sectors of Thailand’s informal economies as well as meet and engage with the tuk tuk drivers of BKK, homestay owners from Ayutthaya, the Moken people of the Andaman Sea.